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Citroen C4 Picasso 115 e-HDi (2013) CAR review
The new Citroen C4 Picasso is an MPV laden with all sorts of new technology. But is it still able to perform its fundamental role of carrying lots of people and their stuff?
Firstly, what’s the Technospace like?
There are really only three or four things you need from an MPV: wipe clean surfaces, easy access to the rear seats, a big boot and long range to avoid waking the little blighters up when they’re asleep.
For the designers of the Germanic-looking new C4 Picasso (the bootlid has clearly been nicked from a Q5), it must have been hard to come up with something new, having pretty much sorted all of those prosaic attributes with previous incarnations. Instead then, with this generation, Citroen has laden it with lots of technology, perhaps in a bid to make the lives of the adults trapped inside more bearable.
It comes with a dual full-digital dual screen driving interface, with 7” touchpad and 12” panoramic HD screen, a places for Apps such as weather forecasting and finding the nearest fuel station, spots on the screen to post your own pictures, active seatbelts, lights and cruise control, and it can park itself. Then you can change the graphics of the dials from round to square, and have a panoramic sunroof and massaging seats.
Such is the plethora of menus, buttons and screens though, that it takes a while to navigate your way around. Some touch sensitive buttons create shortcuts, but, for example, when you need to use steering wheel buttons, buttons on the little screen and also watch the big one too to set up the active cruise control, that’s too many steps.
What’s the C4 like at storing people?
Pretty good actually. There’s a lovely airy feel to the cabin, helped by it being the first car on the Group’s new EMP2 platform, which loses weight and frees up interior space. It’s 140kg lighter than its predecessor due to this new platform and the use of aluminium and composites.
The side windows are low enough to allow occupants a view out and lots of rear legroom to grow into as well. It also has the biggest boot in class at 537-litres, although the sliding rear seats aren’t the easiest to tumble flat, as they require some awkward tugging at webbing to elicit any response. A seven seat Grand version will go on sale early next year.
There’s an option for front seat passengers to have a footrest and rear seat ones to have tables and little lights, and headrest that have wings on them, so they actually work as somewhere to rest your head. All very handy.
How is it to drive?
We had a go in the e-HDi 115 with six speed manual, and it’s no ball of fire, having just enough shove to keep it respectable, but no more. But it is very refined and efficient and the gearbox is more precise than previous PSA Group offerings.
On 18 inch wheels, the ride is too pattery, but is markedly better on 17s. Through a corner? Forget it. It rolls and wallows and the steering is light and uninformative. Citroen clearly hasn’t remotely bothered to try and compete with Ford on this front, probably because hardly anyone who buys these things could care less how it handles.
Verdict
Despite all the talk of fancy new technology to brighten its occupants days, the Citroen C4 Picasso is better at its more important job: providing spacious, comfortable, efficient motoring to groups of people. And that’s no bad thing to be good at.
Statistics:
How much? £20,000
On sale in the UK: July 2013
Engine: 1560cc, four-cyl 8v turbodiesel, 115bhp @ 3600rpm, 160lb ft @ 1750rpm,
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 11.8sec 0-60mph, 109mph, 70.6mpg, 109g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1289kg/steel, aluminium, composite
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4428/1826/1611mm
CAR's rating:
Rated 4 out of 5
Handling
Rated 2 out of 5
Performance
Rated 2 out of 5
Usability
Rated 4 out of 5
Feelgood factor
Rated 3 out of 5
Readers' rating
Rated 4 out of 5
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Kick asso Picasso
PICASSO had an eye for beauty so we think he would have approved of the new Citroen model that bears his name.
It’s hard not to look at the C4 Picasso with these two stunning models in front of it – sadly they are not an option with the car.
But after a test drive to the beach, the girls confirmed that the new Picasso achieves its main role of transporting people in comfort and style – thanks in part to its extra leg room.
The Picasso has always stood out from the crowd and the more extrovert styling has clearly been a hit with buyers – Citroen have sold 3million since 1999, nearly 400,000 of them in the UK.
In just three years, they have sold 350,000 DS models — and the figure is growing fast.
A new DS3 cabriolet is on sale for summer and an SUV is on the way.
The only problem with the success of the DS is that Citroen’s mainstream, more functional models have been pushed into the background.
But with those mainstream models still accounting for 80 per cent of their annual European sales, Citroen are fully aware of the need to revitalise the cars that remain their bread and butter.
Citroen UK boss Linda Jackson told me the success of the DS is allowing the firm to cater for two different types of customer and helping to increase overall sales by 15 per cent so far this year.
She said: “DS models are appealing to buyers who want more style and individuality, who like to personalise their cars, whereas our mainstream customers want more practicality and value for money.
“The success of the DS is great but our mainstream models remain very important. They still account for 70 per cent of UK sales and we needed to re-invent our line-up, which is what we are now doing.”
Linda argues that there is no reason why family buyers of mainstream models can’t have a “stylish” car as well as a user-friendly family motor.
The big-selling C4 Picasso — a mainstream model that has always stood out — is the perfect place to start their transformation.
It will be followed by the seven-seater Grand Picasso at the end of the year. After that, the C1 city car will get a facelift next year, followed by the C4.
Citroen are still deciding how to replace their flagship C5 — but it is unlikely to be another “me too” big family car.
The firm are also desperate to get a small compact SUV — like the Peugeot 2008 and the Renault Captur — on to the market.
They are also considering a replacement for the C2 small car.
This week we tested the new C4 Picasso to see if it hits the sweet spot.
ROAD TEST: CITROEN C4 PICASSO
NAMING a car Picasso has proved a masterstroke by Citroen.
It may not be a masterpiece but three million sales have made the Picasso a financial success story and a class leader in the people carrier market.
And the UK has been a big part of the Picasso success, with more than 400,000 sales here since 1999.
Now Citroen think they have come up with an all-new version that will become another collector’s item for family motorists.
Picasso was known for his provocative paintings and Citroen’s motoring version has always brought an injection of much-needed character and controversy to the bland world of people carriers.
The new version continues that trend with a bold, expressive face that sees the trademark double chevron blades stretched into new LED headlights, with daytime running lights above them like eyebrows, and a double grille below.
The side profile is sleeker and more dynamic as the Picasso is 4cm shorter than the current model and sits 1.61cm lower.
Rear LED lights with a 3D effect complete a more dramatic all-round look.
But people carriers remain all about interior space and practicality, which is why we got four stunning models on board to underline that despite being 4cm shorter there is actually 2cm MORE legroom.
The models were impressed with the space and they liked the Picasso’s funky interior.
But obviously children will fit even better into the three rear seats – and they will appreciate things like the full-length panoramic roof.
There is 5.3m of glass in the Picasso, which makes it feel as if you are sitting in a giant goldfish bowl.
Passengers are nicely pampered with options such as massaging seats, soft-relax headrests and a front passenger seat with an aircraft-style leg support.
Doddle Kids and adults will enjoy the connectivity package that has apps to link you with everything from your phone, music choices to Twitter and the internet.
But the two large digital screens – 7in and 12in – on the dash seem a bit like overkill, as well as being a distraction for the driver at times.
The driver will like the option of a 360° vision camera and a park-assist system that means all he or she has to do is follow the instructions to accelerate or brake. It makes parking a doddle.
Boot space has increased from 537 litres to 630 with the rear seats up. Fold them down and the space hits a van-like 1,700-plus litres.
The front passenger seats also fold to cater for awkward loads up to 2.5m, so the Picasso is definitely family-friendly.
It is also bank account-friendly when it comes to fuel, thanks to a range of new, more efficient diesel and petrol engines. They are led by a 1.6litre diesel with a clutchless gearbox that returns 74mpg and road tax-free 98g/m CO2.
All the 1.6litre and 2litre diesel engines offer a good combination of refinement, performance and around 60mpg, while the 1.6litre turbo petrol is quick and you still get between 45 and 55mpg.
The new C4 Picasso handles and drives considerably better than the current model. It feels more agile thanks to its lower and more compact size, along with revised suspension and the fact it is 140kg lighter.
So Citroen have delivered a mainstream model with a touch of individuality that will appeal to style-conscious family car buyers.
And with prices ranging from £17,500 to £24,500, it’s highly competitive with the current model.
But it is a much better car, making it the value for money that Citroen buyers expect.
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